Mississippi Celebrating 20th Anniversary of State’s First Casino

“It’s hard to believe it was 20 years ago, I’ll tell you that,” said Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway, who was a Biloxi councilman in 1992. He said it didn’t take him long to realize “This is going to be good for the city, good for the state and good for the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”

While the Isle of Capri is still around, the Biloxi Belle closed in the early 2000s. The President Casino closed in 2005 and later became the Silver Slipper Casino.

Many changes also occurred in the Mississippi riverboat casino industry after hurricane Katrina when many barges were run on to the shore or destroyed. Lawmakers then allowed the casinos to move 800 feet inland.

Since the Isle of Capri opened in 1992, Southern Mississippi’s casinos have grossed over $19 billion, the taxes from which have helped pay for public safety and schools in Biloxi.